Helmut Bastian

Helmut Bastian
File:Helmut Bastian.jpg
Born	(1916-11-17)17 November 1916 Kiel
Died	Bremen
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Kriegsmarine
Years of service	1936–45
Rank	Kapitänleutnant
Unit	SSS Gorch Fock cruiser Emden torpedo boat Leopard destroyer Wilhelm Heidkamp destroyer Bruno Heinemann
Commands held	torpedo boat Möwe leader of a Sprengbootflottille (Kleinkamfpverband)
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other work	Ship-owner

Helmut Max Werner Bastian (17 November 1916 – 7 March 1996) was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. As commander of the torpedo boat Möwe he was involved in the sinking of the Norwegian destroyer HNoMS Svenner on 6 June 1944.

Helmut Bastian was the son of Admiral Max Bastian. Admiral Bastian was the president of the Reichskriegsgericht (RKG—Reich Military Court) from 12 September 1939 to 31 October 1944.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (6 November 1939)
  • 1st Class (6 September 1943)
• Destroyer War Badge (10 November 1940)
• German Cross in Gold on 9 June 1944 as Kapitänleutnant on Torpedoboot Möwe in the 5. Torpedobootflottille
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 3 November 1944 as Kapitänleutnant and leader of a Sprengbootflottille (Kleinkampfverband)